NEWS: A digest of aerospace, defense and technology news from the Gulf Coast I-10 region

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

SSC conducts RS-25 test

RS-25 test captured by drone. NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- NASA engineers conducted their first RS-25 test of 2017 on the A-1 Test Stand today, continuing to collect data on the performance of the rocket engine that will help power the new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The test of development engine No. 0528 ran the scheduled 380 seconds. Four RS-25 engines, together with a pair of solid rocket boosters, will power the SLS at launch on its deep-space missions. The engines for the first four SLS flights are former space shuttle main engines, which were tested extensively at SSC and are some of the most proven engines in the world. Engineers are conducting an ongoing series of tests this year for SLS on both development and flight engines for future flights to ensure the engine, outfitted with a new controller, can perform at the higher level under a variety of conditions and situations. SSC is also preparing its B-2 Test Stand to test the core stage for the first SLS flight with the Orion space capsule, known as Exploration Mission-1. That testing will involve installing the flight stage on the stand and firing its four RS-25 engines simultaneously. The test today was conducted by Aerojet Rocketdyne and Syncom Space Services engineers and operators. Aerojet Rocketdyne is the prime contractor for the RS-25 engines. Syncom Space Services is the prime contractor for Stennis facilities and operations. (Source: Stennis Space Center, 02/22/17)